The other night, as we were cleaning up the kitchen, I turned to Josh and said I just can't believe what a difference a week makes, from one Sunday night to another.
Last Sunday night, I felt like the last smiley face in the photo above. Now I think I am on my way to feeling like the second smiley face, possibly the first one, if I could only get a full night of sleep.
A little over a week ago Tani was in surgery. We sat around waiting, for hours, wondering how this would all play out and praying for everything to go well. To look at Tani now, I'd say, bli ayin harah, that things did indeed go well.
She is eating well, sitting on her own, walking around and we have even gotten over that notorious post-hospital bump called constipation. We're grateful for a lot of things and that one is right up there towards the top of the list. She even had her big bandage removed today. We also confirmed today it's a good thing that I did not go into the medical field because I spent the majority of today's appointment trying to keep the dry heaving to a minimum.
We're going to be spending a good few weeks recovering. I'm sure we'll be doing many art projects, going for short walks and watching lots of tv. But that's okay, summer vacation is supposed to be laid back, full of ice cream and watching movies.
I truly, in my heart of hearts, believe that Tani came through this so well, so far, because of all these amazing friends - and family - who have come out of the woodwork this past week. This whole experience has driven home the point that the friends who are your people, your real friends, will always be your people. It doesn't matter how long it's been since you've hung out or even heard each other's voices on the phone. When there is a crisis, a situation, a something that requires your people to be there, they show up, even if it's only by the glow of your cellphone. And they come armed with all their life and professional experiences with them.
It's always funny when childhood friends offer their expertise - and when your memories of them revolve around trying to figure out how to get out of gym class and saving each other seats at the lunch table in fourth grade.
Now, these same friends are all grown up and are offering their advice as the adults they've become - as occupational therapists, anesthesiologists, social workers, physician assistants, pharmacists and just plain therapists - which, really, are the best kind, because they love you enough to offer you a prescription for a little something if you need it to get through the week.
But you know what? As spot-on as all of their advice was (and it *was* spot-on, every time) it was the fact that we know them and they know us and still remember how to make us smile and laugh even when we'd rather crawl under the couch and hide, that made it all better. There were a few times that there was literally nothing we could do for Tani besides hold her hand and count the minutes until the medicines kicked in, but knowing that all these friends had our backs was huge.
I might sound like a broken record parroting Grey's Anatomy, but Meredith Grey, she's not wrong. Your people will always be your people, no matter where they live or where you live or how often you speak or don't speak.
So to my people, I salute you! This past week was pretty yucky, and it's a really good feeling to be on the other side now. But, it's just as good a feeling to know that my people were there, all day and night, even if I didn't actually hear their voices and only read their texts - they were there. And that's what really matters.
:)
Jen
A little over a week ago Tani was in surgery. We sat around waiting, for hours, wondering how this would all play out and praying for everything to go well. To look at Tani now, I'd say, bli ayin harah, that things did indeed go well.
She is eating well, sitting on her own, walking around and we have even gotten over that notorious post-hospital bump called constipation. We're grateful for a lot of things and that one is right up there towards the top of the list. She even had her big bandage removed today. We also confirmed today it's a good thing that I did not go into the medical field because I spent the majority of today's appointment trying to keep the dry heaving to a minimum.
We're going to be spending a good few weeks recovering. I'm sure we'll be doing many art projects, going for short walks and watching lots of tv. But that's okay, summer vacation is supposed to be laid back, full of ice cream and watching movies.
I truly, in my heart of hearts, believe that Tani came through this so well, so far, because of all these amazing friends - and family - who have come out of the woodwork this past week. This whole experience has driven home the point that the friends who are your people, your real friends, will always be your people. It doesn't matter how long it's been since you've hung out or even heard each other's voices on the phone. When there is a crisis, a situation, a something that requires your people to be there, they show up, even if it's only by the glow of your cellphone. And they come armed with all their life and professional experiences with them.
It's always funny when childhood friends offer their expertise - and when your memories of them revolve around trying to figure out how to get out of gym class and saving each other seats at the lunch table in fourth grade.
Now, these same friends are all grown up and are offering their advice as the adults they've become - as occupational therapists, anesthesiologists, social workers, physician assistants, pharmacists and just plain therapists - which, really, are the best kind, because they love you enough to offer you a prescription for a little something if you need it to get through the week.
But you know what? As spot-on as all of their advice was (and it *was* spot-on, every time) it was the fact that we know them and they know us and still remember how to make us smile and laugh even when we'd rather crawl under the couch and hide, that made it all better. There were a few times that there was literally nothing we could do for Tani besides hold her hand and count the minutes until the medicines kicked in, but knowing that all these friends had our backs was huge.
I might sound like a broken record parroting Grey's Anatomy, but Meredith Grey, she's not wrong. Your people will always be your people, no matter where they live or where you live or how often you speak or don't speak.
So to my people, I salute you! This past week was pretty yucky, and it's a really good feeling to be on the other side now. But, it's just as good a feeling to know that my people were there, all day and night, even if I didn't actually hear their voices and only read their texts - they were there. And that's what really matters.
:)
Jen
